It was nearly 20 years ago that Christian Louboutin, in a moment of inspiration, brushed red nail polish on the bottoms of a pair of pumps and rewrote (shoe) history. Since then, the French designer has learned a lot about women's taste. He believes women see stilettos as "pedestals" on which to stake their sexuality, much as a showgirl climbs on the stage. His current collection includes thorn-studded sandals and six-inch-plus heels; even the more modest Pigalle pump has a thrusting, erotic vibe. Women who balk at wearing such shoes are "afraid of their own powers of seduction," says Louboutin, whose advice is to give it a try. "It's OK to be the wife and the girlfriend," he says.